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Climbing up the gangplank onto the deck of El Galeón, the full-scale replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon that’s currently berthed at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, isn’t as smooth as boarding a similarly-sized private yacht, nor are the accommodations so comfortable.

But the reward is an up-close glimpse back in time. A time when it took dozens of strong men just to hoist and maintain the sails of a ship that crossed oceans laden with people, livestock, cargo and even treasure.

Modern touches

Unlike its ancestors, El Galeón has a diesel engine, generator and even radar, GPS and modern chartplotting equipment. Those are necessities although well-concealed.

If you look carefully, you might spot the pill-shaped Furuno radar unit mounted in the crow’s nest of the main mast. But for all intents and purposes, this 55-meter (180 feet) wooden ship is very old-world.

“We only use the motor when we absolutely have to, if we’re due someplace and there’s no wind,” said Ulises Ceustodio, one of El Galeón’s full-time crew who has been aboard for about a year. “We use the sails most of the time. But, because square sail vessels such as this only sail well downwind, it is sometimes necessary.”

The ship, which was designed and built in Spain by Ignacio Fernandez Vial and is owned by the Nao Victoria Foundation, carries more than 9,600 square feet of sail. Ceustodio said it takes a minimum of 19 sailors to work the ship, but the preferred number is around 23.

El Galeón began its most recent voyage in Seville, Spain and made its way across the Atlantic to San Juan, Puerto Rico, before heading up to the Sunshine State in support of Viva Florida, the celebration to commemorate Florida’s 500-year history since it was first charted and named by European explorers.

Six deck tour

St. Augustine is the fourth and final Florida port to be visited by El Galeón and will be here until June 9.

“This is my favorite city of the four, I think,” said Captain Manuel Murube on Tuesday when El Galeón arrived. “It feels very much like a small town in Spain, and the people are very welcoming.”

On Thursday Ceustodio, who also serves as the ship’s diver, led visitors on a guided tour of the ship’s six decks, beginning with the forecastle deck. He pointed out the ship’s bell and one of the capstans, a large, deck-mounted winch that is turned by several men to raise sails or anchors.

Visitors went to the main deck, where the giant wheel which steers the ship was placed just aft of the main mast, and then up to the poop deck, the raised deck in the stern area.

Then came a view of what Ceustodio called the “noble area,” a section where, historically, only the captain, officers and dignitaries could venture. That section features the dining room, offices and a panoramic view out the stern windows.

Below on the gun deck, several cannons were at the ready, their huge barrels sticking out the square hatches on the side of the hull. The cargo area is deeper below, where visitors can watch a brief film in a makeshift theater.

“I find this to be fascinating,” said Mandy McCormack of St. Augustine, who said she wanted to be one of the first to tour the ship. “It’s impressive enough when you see it from the dock, but coming up here, seeing the grandeur of it all, it’s amazing. Look how high we are, higher than the Bridge (of Lions). I also love that you can see the masts sticking up from almost anywhere in the city. We need to get more of these ships here.”

The ship replicates the galleons that were part of Spain’s West Indies fleet between the 16th and 18th centuries. Galleons were large, armed vessels used in transoceanic trade, and they evolved in response to Spain’s need for an ocean-crossing cargo ship capable of fending off pirates.

Don Pedro Menendez, St. Augustine’s founder, arrived in a ship much like El Galeón.

Crewmate Miguel Talegon said life aboard the ship is devoid of most creature comforts, especially at sea.

“We take saltwater showers, just like the old sailors did,” he said. “And we work hard. Sailing a ship like this is not easy.”

Ceustodio said the crew works in three shifts, or watches, with four hours on duty followed by eight hours of rest, then back on watch.

“There’s not a lot of time for goofing off, but we enjoy it,” he said. “That’s why we do it.”

He said most of the ships officers were paid, but that many of the crew, like himself, were volunteers.

They feed us and take care of us, of course,” he said. “But most of us are doing this for the reward of the experience.”

IF YOU GO:

* The ship will be at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina until June 9.

* Those wishing to board the El Galeón may do so, starting Thursday.

* Visitors are accepted from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for children 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and younger.

* Tickets can be purchased at Ripley’s Red Train Tours and the St. Augustine Visitors Information Center or at www.vivaflorida.org